Assessing the effect of COVID-19 stay-at -home orders on firearm injury in Maryland.

This study sought to characterize frequency and demographic characteristics of firearm injury and penetrating trauma in Maryland over the first year of the pandemic, by comparing these characteristics to those of the three years prior to stay-at-home order issuance. Patients were identified in the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database using ICD-10 codes for firearm injury by all intents and assaults by penetrating trauma. Cases from July 1, 2017 to March 31, 2020 ("pre-stay-at-home") were compared to those from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 ("post-stay-at-home") using descriptive statistics. There was no significant change overall in frequency or demographics of firearm injury or penetrating trauma in the year after stay-at-home orders were issued. Youth between ages 15 and 24, overwhelmingly male, comprise a disproportionately high percentage of firearm injuries and assaults, and most penetrating trauma occurs in urban environments where Black non-Hispanic youth and children of low socioeconomic status are at high risk. Our study also found unintentional firearm injury among adults was significantly increased during the pandemic. While increased unintentional firearm injury among adults was the major significant change found in our study, the persistence of firearm injury, particularly in youth, racial and ethnic minority groups, and those in urban environments, should be deeply concerning. Stay-at-home policies did not keep youth safer from firearm injury. With continued high rates of firearm injury and the national debate over how to prevent these incidents, increased education and comprehensive strategies for prevention are needed.

Role of mass media and it's impact on general public during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in north India: an online assessment

Objectives: Based on the global experience, India has the possibility to be highly affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To contain the spread of the infection, a complete lockdown was enforced from March 25 to May 31, 2020 in India. During the unlock phase from June 1, 2020, only limited mobility was allowed. At present, in the pandemic, mass media is playing a very important role in sharing information and connecting people. The objective of this study is to understand the role and impact of mass media in the general public during COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: This study has been conducted on the above 10-year aged population by the online survey through Google spreadsheets. The semi-structured questionnaire was circulated to the known contacts in north Indian states for responses. The data collection started on June 23 and was closed on July 3, 2020.